Methods of preparing an intermediate oxidation product from a hydrocarbon by utilizing an activated initiator

A method of preparing a polymer comprising the steps of:

• (a) feeding a hydrocarbon and an initiator into a first reaction zone at a first hydrocarbon to initiator ratio by weight;
• (b) oxidizing partially at least one of said hydrocarbon and initiator to form a first mixture;
• (c) mixing the first mixture with a second mixture comprising the same hydrocarbon and initiator, the hydrocarbon and the initiator of the second mixture being present at a second hydrocarbon to initiator ratio by weight higher than the first hydrocarbon to initiator ratio, wherein the first mixture and the second mixture are mixed at a third ratio of first mixture to second mixture lower than 1;
• (d) oxidizing said hydrocarbon to a desired degree in a manner to form a compound selected from a group consisting of adipic acid, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, and terephthalic acid;
• and
• (e) reacting the compound formed in step (d) with a third reactant selected from a group consisting of a polyol, a polyamine, and a polyamide in a manner to form a polymer of a polyester, or a polyamide, or a (polyimide and/or polyamideimide).